Cazarez, of the Harbor City neighborhood in Los Angeles, was serving as a light-armored vehicle crewman assigned to the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, military officials said.

He was on his first deployment to Afghanistan since joining the U.S. Marine Corps on July 10, 2006, officials said.

Cazarez's decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation.